England suffer injury setback as Ollie Lawrence one of three replaced in squad

Adam Kyriacou
England centre Ollie Lawrence and fly-half Marcus Smith.

England centre Ollie Lawrence and fly-half Marcus Smith.

England have been hit by a triple injury setback ahead of this year’s Six Nations after Oscar Beard, Ollie Lawrence and Luke Cowan-Dickie had to be replaced in the squad.

The Harlequins, Bath and Sale Sharks players were confirmed as being withdrawn from the squad on Tuesday evening, with three replacements immediately added to the mix.

They are Max Ojomoh, Will Muir and Jamie Blamire as England continue to prepare for the Six Nations, which begins with France v Ireland in Marseille on Friday, February 2.

Italy opener

England kick off their Championship away to Italy before a home clash with Wales and visit to Scotland follows. They then play host to Ireland before ending away to France.

The absence of Beard, Lawrence and Cowan-Dickie is a blow for the trio and also head coach Steve Borthwick, with the former duo having been in sparkling form at club level.

Cowan-Dickie meanwhile has been eager to impress for the Sharks this season after a difficult 2023 due to a neck issue. All three men will hope their absence is short term.

While centre Beard has been replaced by Ojomoh, the Quin will travel with the squad to England’s training base in Girona where he will continue his return to play protocols.

Earlier today, England announced that they will host a second open training session during the Six Nations campaign, held in York on Friday, March 1 as they head north.

The training session will be held at the LNER Community Stadium, with tickets available for free (£1 booking fee per ticket applies).

York session

The LNER Community Stadium, home of York City Football Club and York Rugby League Football Club, sits within the York Stadium Leisure Complex which provides a multi-purpose sports hall, three swimming pools and much more to the local community residents.

Borthwick and his squad will head north during the second fallow week of the competition to continue their preparations for the Round Four clash against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium the following week.

The open training session in York will be the second of the campaign that Borthwick’s squad host and will follow the one taking place at Twickenham Stadium on Friday, February 16 at 10am.

Pete Kitchen, York Community Stadium Manager, added: “We are delighted to be welcoming England Men’s Senior team to the LNER Community Stadium.

“This is a multi-purpose venue that caters for both the local community and elite sport. We can’t wait to welcome rugby fans from around the country to our home.”

READ MORE: Steve Borthwick lays down Six Nations challenge to England as ‘different approach’ needed

Bath Ollie Lawrence

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